Chapter 238: The Golden Land

Adrian moved with a thought, transforming into a ghost and heading towards the lush green island.

This island, originally part of Jaya Island, was now enveloped in pure white clouds, standing out as a rare and vivid green in this sky-bound world.

Over four hundred years ago, this half of the island was hurled from the sea below to a height of ten thousand meters by a massive updraft.

Despite the centuries of wind and rain, sun and storms, this part of Jaya Island seemed largely unscathed, still teeming with vibrant greenery.

Adrian slowly descended onto a branch of a giant tree, quietly observing his surroundings. He noted that this place didn't differ much from the deserted islands commonly found on the sea below.

However, this ordinary-looking island was considered a unique treasure by the sky island residents!

The true value placed on this island by the sky islanders stemmed from the "soil and earth" it contained.

On a sky island where almost everything was made of white clouds, soil was the most precious resource.

The residents of the sky island had fought over land for over four hundred years…

While pondering this, Adrian unconsciously arrived at an ancient ruin.

The decayed and dilapidated buildings, covered in green moss and vines, showed signs of great age.

Besides the stone structures, gold could be seen everywhere in the city, basking in the bright sunlight, casting a dazzling golden glow over the grand city.

This was a silent, ancient golden city, steeped in rich historical atmosphere.

"If the scholars from Ohara saw this scene, they'd be speechless with excitement, wouldn't they?"

Gazing at the ancient city buildings, a thought unexpectedly arose in Adrian's mind.

Then he remembered a 'man' he had recently taken from Jaya Island below. He reached into his pocket and tapped the gray pocket watch.

"Rumi, bring out the person we just put into the castle."

With a ripple, Mont Blanc Cricket was released onto the ground.

Adrian used his ability to wake Cricket.

With a series of harsh coughs, Cricket finally opened his eyes. His face was flushed, indicating he wasn't coping well with the high altitude.

"Sorry, Mr. Cricket. This altitude might be too much for you; I should have let you acclimate first."

Adrian frowned slightly, realizing he had overlooked this detail.

Since the sky island was ten thousand meters high, the air was very thin at this altitude.

People coming from below would be significantly affected, with severe cases experiencing a drastic drop in physical abilities.

For Adrian, his ghostly body made this "minor" difficulty negligible, so he hadn't noticed any abnormalities.

In the original story, the Straw Hat Pirates didn't show any lasting effects upon reaching the sky island; they were all as lively as ever.

This made Adrian subconsciously overlook this issue, which wasn't a good place for ordinary civilians from the sea.

At least not until they had adapted to the basic conditions.

Adrian furrowed his brow again, silently pondering.

'If even Mont Blanc Cricket, accustomed to constant diving, is reacting like this...'

'Can the scholars from Ohara withstand such drastic changes in a short time? Most of them aren't physically active!'

'Moreover, Dr. Clover is quite old; it would be even harder for him to adapt.'

'It's best not to think about this for now.'

But then Adrian remembered he wasn't the babysitter for the Ohara scholars. Bringing them to the small sky island was already considerate enough.

'Besides, the small sky island Weatheria can freely ascend and descend. If the Ohara scholars can't adapt, they can lower the island to a suitable altitude and adapt slowly.'

"Cough! Cough!"

Cricket finally adjusted to the drastic change in atmosphere, coughing a few more times before somewhat recovering. At least, outwardly, he seemed fine.

"White Ghost, where is this place?"

Cricket looked around incredulously, his voice a mix of excitement and hoarseness.

"Is this the Golden Land? Or Jaya Island?"

Adrian tossed out a few terms casually, "I'm not entirely sure."

"According to legend, Jaya Island once had a magnificent 'City of Gold' called 'Shandora,' also known as the Golden City."

"However, during a massive updraft, Shandora was swept ten thousand meters into the sky. Some of the gold and treasures from Shandora remained on the original Jaya Island site, forming the 'Golden Land'."

"This place, this place…"

Cricket couldn't contain his excitement anymore. He rushed off to explore, speaking as he went.

"Over four hundred years ago, my ancestor Mont Blanc Noland discovered this legendary 'Golden Land' during a detour caused by the storm to Jaya Island. He recorded its existence in stories and spread it across the seas."

"However, when he returned to Jaya Island, the 'Golden Land' had mysteriously disappeared, along with half the island and his old friend."

"This! This is the original Golden Land!!"

Cricket knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face as he cried out.

"Mont Blanc Noland wasn't lying. He isn't 'King of Liars'!"

"My ancestor was a true explorer and a great botanist!"

"He saved the lives of many people on Jaya Island! Why was he executed by the king?!"

Cricket's wailing seemed to express both injustice for his ancestor and a release of the pent-up sorrow and grief in his heart.

Meanwhile, Adrian's task panel indicated the completion of a mission.

[You have completed the mission 'Golden Land'!]

[You have gained 2 million experience points!]

[You have received [Unknown Mysterious Reward] X1. Claim now?]

Adrian glanced at the still-crying Cricket and decided not to claim the reward yet.

"Mr. Cricket, I know you're very emotional, but besides us, it seems there's another rather unfriendly 'native' on this island."

Adrian looked towards the direction of the Golden Bell. In his future-sight Haki, he saw the figure of a large snake.